Stuck in a rut? Want to embark on a new career, become a stay at home parent, go on a fabulous vacation, buy a new home? Whatever your dream for yourself and your family, don’t let financial trouble get in the way. You can fulfill your dream despite poor finances if you stay focused, have a plan and spend your energy on working toward your dream.

The first step is really make your dream a real goal. Write it down, tell others about it, find a picture that represents your dream and paste it in a prominent place.

Next, figure out what it will take to get there and figure out ways to make it happen. For example, a stay at home parent would need to work out a budget that allows for one income. This might mean downsizing, starting a part time home business, reducing household costs through coupons and buying used, etc.

Someone who wants to go back to school might look into earning a degree online, community or state schools, scholarships, work study programs, and more.

There are plenty of people out there who overcame financial hardship and triumphed to fulfill their dreams. Liz Murray was a young lady who was homeless but found a way to graduate from Harvard. Do Won Chang worked three jobs to support his family and was eventually able to open a small clothing shop that turned into the clothing empire Forever 21. Billionaire Harold Simmons grew up in a shack without electricity. The CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz came from the Brooklyn projects. J.K. Rowling lived on welfare while caring for an infant and is now worth more than $1 billion through her Harry Potter books. Imagine if she never wrote that first one.

Don’t wait because of your financial situation. Get started on your dream today.